Hungary detains former central bank governor György Matolcsy in fraud probe
Hungarian police detained György Matolcsy, who led the central bank from 2013 to 2025, on suspicion of economic fraud and using a forged private document, his lawyer told Telex, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors said they were conducting coordinated investigative actions in a case involving suspected criminal misappropriation of funds; Bloomberg reported the probe includes embezzlement and fraud allegations. Matolcsy has denied wrongdoing.
Bottom line — Matolcsy’s detention brings a high-profile former Orbán ally into Hungary’s investigation of suspected misuse of public funds.
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The Associated Press reported that Matolcsy also served as Orbán’s economy minister from 2010 to 2013.
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The AP said a central bank audit found past real-estate investments had been bought at inflated prices, causing significant financial damage.
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The AP reported it was unclear whether the detention was linked to those purchases or to public funds given to central-bank foundations.
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Bloomberg reported scandals during Matolcsy’s tenure involved diversion of public money and alleged self-enrichment by members of his family.
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The AP said Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government launched a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office in July to pursue cases involving misused public funds.